Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls Stun Reigning Champs New Zealand in Historic Victory at Netball World Cup!
In a thrilling showdown at the Vitality Netball World Cup, Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls secured an historic 59-48 victory over reigning champions New Zealand.
This triumph marked the first time they defeated the Kiwis on this prestigious stage, igniting their charge for a potential gold medal.
Led by the exceptional performance of Captain Jhaniele Fowler, who shot a perfect 49 goals from 49 attempts, Jamaica’s attack proved relentless and precise.
Goal attack Shanice Beckford and Romelda Aiken-George also contributed with nine goals and one goal, respectively.
The Sunshine Girls’ defense displayed one of its most consistent showings, applying relentless pressure on the Kiwi players and causing multiple turnovers. Their collective effort and discipline kept New Zealand at bay throughout the match.
Drawing inspiration from their previous encounter at the Commonwealth Games, where they beat the Silver Ferns 67-51 en route to a historic silver medal, Jamaica’s confidence was high. Although they faced a shaky start in this tournament, they gradually found their flow, with a strong offensive display in the opening quarter giving them a four-goal advantage.
The second quarter saw both teams’ defenses shining, making it challenging for shooters to find their rhythm. However, Jamaica managed to maintain their lead despite losing Shamera Sterling to injury.
As the match progressed, New Zealand fought back, narrowing the gap to just two goals in the third quarter. Nevertheless, the Sunshine Girls’ determination shone through in the final quarter. With consistent pressure in defense and quick passes into the shooting circle, they extended their lead to a commanding 10 points, securing their biggest advantage of the game.
With six consecutive wins under their belt, the Jamaicans are now set to face world number one-ranked Australia in the semi-finals. On the other hand, New Zealand’s title defense appears uncertain, pending the outcome of South Africa’s match against Uganda.
This impressive victory solidifies Jamaica’s status as a favourite in the tournament, where their last bronze medal was earned back in 2007.
The Sunshine Girls’ exceptional execution of their game plan and unwavering focus have them poised to make history and claim their first-ever Vitality Netball World Cup gold medal.
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